Multiple fiber connectivity based on 2-photon, 3D printed, tapered fiber tips

US12399324B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC · US

Inventors

• Jan Watte · Grimbergen, BE
• Vivek PANAPAKKAM VENKATESAN · Leuven, BE
• Saurav Kumar · Kanchinakote, IN
• Koen VANMOL · Vilvoorde, BE
• Jürgen Albert Jan VAN ERPS · Tervuren, BE
• Hugo Thienpont · Halle, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 2021
• Grant date: Aug 26, 2025
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/262
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Optical guiding elements are 3D printed on the ends of optical fibers. A multifiber connector includes fibers having 3D printed elements that are flush with the end face of the connector. The printed 3D element may be down-tapered for coupling between a single mode optical fiber and an optical chip waveguide. The cross-sectional shape of the 3D printed optical element may change along its length so as to more closely match to the mode field of a non-circular waveguide on the optical chip. The optical element may be printed with a gradient index. The optical element may be provided with an output face distal from the optical fiber that is not flat and which changes the divergence of the light passing therethrough.